Sunday SoundWaves
Our summer concert series, Sunday Sound Waves, is back for its third summer. These Sunday afternoons by the lake have become a favorite, and they are made possible by your support.
Sunday, July 19th
1 to 4 pm
Celebrating Dan Duggan
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August 16, 1 to 4PM
Luke Parsnow is a Sterling, New York native and a 2011 graduate of Red Creek Jr. Sr. High School. Coming from a well-known and well-respected family in the New York bluegrass community, he is proficient on multiple instruments, mainly guitar, mandolin and bass. For 15 years, Luke performed at various festivals and events across seven states on the Eastern Seaboard with numerous bluegrass bands. In 2017, his group played live on the "Song of the Mountains" television show in Marion, Virginia, which was seen on over 150 PBS affiliate stations throughout the U.S. More recently, he can be seen playing frequently at a lot of local venues in Oswego, Cayuga and Onondaga counties with more regional groups, and as a solo act. His solo work showcases his own songwriting, a collection of mainly lyrical ballads, often about nature, life lessons and the passing of time. A lifelong visitor to Sterling Nature Center, he looks forward to performing these types of songs there. Aside from music, Luke is an award-winning writer for Spectrum News 1 for its outlets across upstate New York and New York City, and also an avid hiker. He has climbed nearly 100 different mountains in the Adirondack Park.
Opening act - Colleen Kattau
1pm
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Dan Duggan.
Family, friends, and fellow musicians will gather at the Sterling Nature Center to remember Dan and celebrate his life through music and community.
The afternoon will begin with music by Luke Parsnow from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., followed by the celebration of Dan's life beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Dan's wife, Peggy Lynn, will be here, along with Dan Berggren to lead our community in songs and some tunes of Dan's. Bring an instrument if you'd like to join the music.
We look forward to sharing this afternoon with all who knew Dan.
For those who would like to make a donation in Dan's memory to the Sterling Nature Center, a donation link is provided below. Donations may also be made at the event.
Monnchots Authentic Thai food
Luke Parsnow 1:00 to 1:45 PM
Colleen is a bilingual vocalist and award-winning songwriter. Her music conveys a loving, spirited energy, clear Latin American influences and fearless lyrics with a voice that soothes and haunts with its range and clarity. Nature, activism and collective conscience infuse her music. Her music has been on Democracy Now and she’s been a regular at Phil Ochs Tribute shows. She has recorded seven albums and three successful benefit CDs for environmental & peace actions. Her 2024 release is This Hen’s Gonna Crow – and several cuts from that album as well as other recordings have made the FAI folks charts. Pete Seeger called her “a great singer and organizer”. “It is a thrill singing with you.” Tom Prasada Rao
Main Act
Vance Glibert
2PM
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If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert”, says Richmond Magazine.
Vance’s new album, “The Mother Of Trouble”, features Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Juno award recipient and Bonnie Raitt Grammy hit song co-writer Joey Landreth on guitars, and Americana-Roots master mandolinist Joe K. Walsh. With 4 bullies, 4 deaths (3 of them murders), 3 moms, 2 accidents, 2 Black people, 2 dogs, 1 dog ball,, and 1 missed flight thanks to gas station sushi, this album benefits from the gifts of time and experience honing songwriting skills that put this most vital of acoustic storytellers at the top of the game.
Oh, and Management wants to make sure to tell you that this is the 14th release for this acoustic stalwart.
One of the originators of the finally recognized R&B/Folk/Jazz crossover-sub-genre, Vance was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Starting out hoping to be an R&B and jazz singer once at college, there he discovered his affinity for the storytelling sensibilities of the acoustic singer-songwriter thing. Word spread like wildfire about Gilbert’s stage-owning singing and playing, and Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour where he took much of America by storm and by surprise. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god..” wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Noted not only for being the ever consummate performer, Gilbert has recorded 13 albums, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records. Along with being opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny, the mid 2000’s found Gilbert opening 150+ shows for comedian George Carlin.
Gilbert has also been a prominent presence at some of the world’s most prestigious gatherings and halls, among them the Newport, Winnipeg, Rocky Mountain, Calgary, Ottawa, and Falcon Ridge Folk festivals, the Kate Wolf Music Festival, and Australia’s Woodford Folk and Mullum Music Festivals, Mountain Stage, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Nashville’s Lyman Auditorium, The Barns at Wolftrap, and a private party for his veterinarian where there was terrific lo-mein.
Most recently he’s been the opener of choice for Mad About You/Stranger Things star Paul Reiser’s stand-up shows for the last 7 years, along with his own busy acoustic music touring schedule. That current schedule includes Vance’sMondayNightAcousticPajamaParty on YouTube. Having started the first week of the pandemic in 2020, Vance has played a live, themed, weekly 90 minute mixed bag of originals and cover tunes to a rotating following of about 200 folks. 10 to 20% of his weekly tip jar is donated to a local 501(c)3 of his choice. At the time of this writing, having done 215 of these Pajama Parties has become newsworthy in itself, more so because he just forgot to stop doing them.
Considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene, his previous record “Good Good Man” features an eclectic roster of musical types including rocker Mike Posner, world renown Celtic harpist Aine Minough, bluesman Chris Smither, and Al Green’s organist Stacey Wade.
Gilbert runs 3 to 4 miles ever so slowly 5 days a week to stay sharp for the road and does historical aviation research and model building just for great nerdy fun.
He even has a tune on a Grammy Nominated children’s album. How rounded is that?
Big Awecome BBQ will be here
August 23 1 to 4PM
Presented by Gina Marie Music Studio in partnership with Sterling Nature Center
Sterling Nature Center Concert Series featuring GMMS Band Experience
The Sterling Nature Center Concert Series will showcase student musicians from the GMMS Band Experience Program — an ongoing program designed to help students build real bands, develop musicianship, strengthen confidence, and perform throughout the wider community.
BAND BIOS
Tangerine Sky- 1 PM
Tangerine Sky is a new iteration of several young musicians who have been playing in different bands over the past three years through the GMMS Band Experience Program. Blending acoustic instrumentation, layered harmonies, and thoughtful arrangements, the group brings a unique and expressive sound to every performance.
For the Sterling Nature Center concert, Tangerine Sky will present a pared-down trio performance featuring cello, acoustic guitar, keys, and rich three-part harmony.
Performers include:
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Olivia Brockway — cello
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Rigby Bullard — keys
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Julie Cregg — acoustic guitar
Murray Street Mob - 1:55pm
Led by recent high school graduate Elliot Prior, Murray Street Mob represents one of the most exciting aspects of the GMMS community: adult students coming together to pursue the dream of becoming a band.
Supported by musicians from across the studio community, the group blends folk, rock, and collaborative spirit into a performance rooted in connection and joy.
Members include:
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Elliot Prior — lead vocals
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Noel Barnett — guitar
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Jordan Harcleroad — banjo
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Maxwell Wood — drums
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Susan Howland — violin
Murray Street Mob is a reminder that music education and performance opportunities can thrive at every age and every stage.
King Rebels - 2:20 pm
King Rebels is a young rock band with serious energy and a fearless approach to performance. Comprised of talented 8th and 9th grade musicians, the band leans hard into punk-inspired arrangements and hard rock interpretations of familiar songs.
With powerful stage presence and undeniable chemistry, King Rebels continues to grow into one of the standout young rock acts in the GMMS Band Experience Program.
Members include:
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Ira Huff — drums
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Sebastian Daigle — lead vocals and keys
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Victor Lavonier — guitar and vocals
The Bad Apa’s - 3:00
Now in their fourth year together, The Bad Apa’s are the longest-running band in the GMMS Band Experience Program and have become one of the most exciting young bands in Central New York.
Combining original music with dynamic covers, the band delivers performances filled with musicianship, creativity, and emotional depth. Collectively, the members bring decades of musical study and experience to the stage despite their young age.
Members include:
Alex Daigle — keyboard
Apollo Avery — vocals and acoustic guitar
Natalie Breitbeck — vocals and electric guitar
Phiona Buck — violin
The Bad Apa’s continue to push themselves artistically while developing a sound that is uniquely their own.
Triad Trio 3:45Pm
Headlining the Sterling Nature Center concert is Triad Trio, a rapidly emerging ensemble already gaining recognition throughout Central New York for their stunning harmonies, thoughtful arrangements, and growing catalog of original music.
Led by Nina King’s powerful vocals, the trio blends acoustic textures, layered instrumentation, and intricate harmonies into performances that captivate audiences of all ages.
Members include:
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Nina King — lead vocals
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Trillium Holsopple — keyboard, baritone ukulele, harmony vocals
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Ellie Murray — acoustic guitar, flute
Already featured at the F.I.R.E. Festival in Syracuse, on WSYR Bridge Street, and at Rootstock in Ithaca, Triad Trio is quickly becoming recognized as one of the region’s most promising young groups.
